PGA show day #2

Our last day:

After collecting all the information from the vendors/ suppliers we visited on day 1 Robin and I poured over the propaganda and our budget to see if there was a fit. Our priority was range balls. We asked you our customers which ball characteristic was more important Distance or Feel for a range ball? The response was a landslide voting, no hanging chads needed, for FEEL.

 We talked to other larger range owners and others in the industry and we found that Srixon was the ball widely used in ranges requiring feel. We found that Callaway was another ball used for the same category. We also stumbled onto Wilson. This company is regaining status in popularity because of Padrig Harrington, product design and selection. They have a range ball that consists of a two piece range ball that very well may provide both feel and distance. We have some samples coming in to test, so you could be an integral part of selecting the next range ball!

 We looked into adding to our line of golf balls for a more affordable price ranges. Robin and I talked to a company that provides recycled golf balls. We will be able to provide PRO-Vs in a great looking box for $24. I got a box and took them to a course for a work out and was impressed.

 While still in the golf ball thought. I actually took the Bridgestone challenge. This year a left handed booth was provided for testing. The young man running the launch monitor was shocked to think a guy like me would use the B-330 Rx but I mashed it with vey little spin. Bridgestone has made an improvement to the Rx ball and made an RxS an Rx ball to provide more spin.  By making the ball spin more the ball stayed in the air longer and I gained about 4 yards.

 I covered the component side of the golf club on Day 1:

Now on to completed clubs. We went through Cleveland, Srixon, and Wilson. We slid by Callaway, Titleist, Cobra and Ping. Cleveland is promoting the DST club line, a total weight much lighter than a standard club whose premise is to produce a faster swing speed. In theory that is a correct assumption however the length is longer than standard and miss hits may be a problem. The club does feel good and looks great at address. For the better player you can get a standard weight shaft put in the club at a shorter length for the same swing weight. You can expect a push from Cleveland to lock in the wedge and putter category with the CG wedges and Never Compromise putters. Both are wonderful items, particularly when fit to the golfer. Srixon, in my opinion is still the best fairway wood and hybrid. Both have a great set up and look. To bad nothing is left handed. The driver if given a chance will make into the bag even with a $499 price tag.  Wilson has three iron lines that can fit most golfers from a low handicapper to beginner. The categories are F, C, D, for feel, control and distance. The putter line is the typical putter offerings except the older 8802 style blade putter. Wilson has a great selection of putters for the golfer hunting a milled face short stix.  The drivers and fairway woods are bland to the look but performance is certainly not bland.

 Training aids: World of golf has a massive selection of training aids. Aids for producing a better swing and aids for better fitness. Two items caught my eye. A very heavy basketball with diagrams of exercises you can perform with the ball and a two colored ball made to be placed in between the arms during the swing. We are going over the list of their offerings to see what I missed.

We also visited eye line aids. This group is geared for short game practice with a putting tool back by Hank Haney. The unit is a metal “L” shaped item with magnets placed on a flat metal support. The idea is to hit the L shaped piece and see which direction the piece travels to help you train to the putter face to square at impact. Another item is a rod placed in the butt of the club to be placed on or near your lead side to help by in the right position for chipping.

 Overall day 2: was a good review of the golf equipment available. Robin and I took a stroll through the new product area. Usually we find one product that catches our eye. This year there were shoes, baby golfer clothes, golf balls with pictures of Tigers girl friends, push carts, belts, putters and alignment rods. Nothing really new was found in the new products area just different twist on an old idea.  Eric of Infiniti invited his dealers to some pizza and to see first hand the new forged iron, the new cart bag and the pro T grips he offers. Usually this is a gathering of old PCS folks. However this time the room was filled with new faces. It was an absolute pleasure to talk to another small range owner from Kansas and a husband and wife custom shop from Daytona Beach. This was a wonderful visit and great info traded among new friends.